Dispensing container



July 1944- F. c. GLUCK EIAL 2,353,456

DISPENSING CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 20, 1940 INVENTORS. I

y 1944- F. c. GLUCK ET AL 7 2,353,456

DISPENS ING CONTAINER Filed March 20, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS. 21221) C. LUCK. BY RANKIN C. M CASKEU ATTORNEY I! Patented July 11, 1944 DISPENSING CONTAINER Fred C. Gluck, Minerva, and Rankin C. Mc- Caskey, Shaker Heights, Ohio, assignors to Minerva Wax Paper Company, Minerva, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application March 20, 1940, Serial No. 325,038

16 Claims.

This invention relates to dispensing containers such as are adapted for use with waxed paper or similar sheet material. Th general object of our invention is to provide means for effecting sanitary closures for the ends of containers of the cylindrical type which are contractible in order to cooperate with the diminished size of the paper roll therein as the latter is consumed.

'A further object of th invention is to provide such a container with means for holding the delivery portion of the sheet of paper in such position as to render it readily available to the user and which will retain this portion in such extended position even though the container may be roughly handled when the paper is practically exhausted from the roll.

A further object of the invention is to accomplish the foregoing objects in a manner that will enabl satisfactory contraction of the container as the paper therewithin is exhausted whereby the paper may be readily out.

A still further object of the invention is to provide for containers of this kind a combined sanitary cover and gauge which will indicate to the user the quantity of paper remaining on the roll and the necessity for purchasing a new container and roll.

We accomplish the foregoing objects in and through the construction and arrangement of parts shown in the drawings hereof wherein Fig. 1 represents a developed view of the container cover blank, with the cutter edge applied thereto; Fig. 2 an elevation of one of the caps for a container made from the blank of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 an elevation of acontainer made from the blank shown in Fig. 1 and caps such as shown in Fig. 2, the said container being in its expanded condition due to the presence of a full roll of paper therewith; Fig. 4 is an end view of th container shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 4 a view, on an enlarged scale, similar to Fig. 4 and showing the manner in which the slots in the caps serve as gauges to indicate the quantity of paper in the container; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the container in its contracted position when the supply of paper has been practically exhausted from the roll; Fig. 6 an end elevation of th container shown in Fig. 5; Figs. '7 and 8 are enlarged sectional views corresponding respectively to the lines l--| of Fig. 3 and 8-8 of Fig. 5; Figs. 9 and 10 are views similar to Figs. 7 and 8, respectively, but with thepaper rolls removed from the container; Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. l of a modified form of container cover; Fig. 12 is an elevation of one of the caps for a container made from the blank of Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 10 showing our modified form of container in its contracted position; Fig. 14 is a view, similar to Figs. 1 and 11, of a further modified form of container cover; Fig. 15 an elevation 01' a container made from the blank shown in Fig. 14; Fig. 16

a detail in section corresponding to the line l6|6 of Fig. 15 and Fig. 17 an end elevation of the container shown in Fig. 15.

Describing by reference characters the parts shown in Figs. 1 to 10, inclusive, the numeral l0 indicates a generally rectangular cover element which is adapted to be rolled into a substantially cylindrical spiral form, with an external side edge ll overlapping an internal side edge ii! for a portion of a convolution. This cover element is provided at the side edge I l with the cutter l3 and is provided adjacent to the opposite side edge with tongues or flaps ll extending outwardly from the opposite ends l5 thereof. Each end I5 is also provided, immediately adjacent to the flap l4 thereon, with triangular tongues l6 having their bases substantially in contact. The tongues l6 extend from a point adjacent to the flaps H to a point spaced a considerable distance from the side I l, for a purpose to be explained hereinafter. The cover element thus shown is preferably first wet in water or a sizing solution before being cut into shape as shown in Fig. 1, after which it is wound about a roll of wax paper H, the cover member being so proportioned to the roll of paper as to bring the side l2 into contact with the body of the cover member substantially along the line A, B, which extends across th said cover member at the ends of the serrated portions of the cover member which are most remote from the edge l2. The flaps H are folded inwardly before rolling the cover member so that they will be overlapped in part by the tongues on the corresponding end edges of the cover member, as indicated in Fig. 9.

Due to the treatment which has been given to the member l0, it tends to contract and to engage fairly closely the outer surface of the roll therewithin. The caps i8 are then applied to opposite ends of the container member, preferably by pasting or gluing the same to the tongues I 6,

each of said caps being circular and preferably of the same normal diameter as the diameter of the container when the latter is in its expanded condition. It will be noted that each cap is provided with a V-shaped slot l9 extending radially outwardly from the center thereof. The inner ends of the sides of the slots merge with circular openings 20.

As the paper of the roll I1 is exhausted, the container is contracted in the manner indicated in Figs. 5, 6, and 8, the tongues l and th caps applied thereto assuming a conical shape, the final shape being that shown in Fig. 5, wherein the sides of the slot III are in substantial contact when the supply of paper has been exhausted from the roll.

Each slot I9 is made of such angular extent with reference to the quantity of paper on a full roll that, by the timethe supply of paper is exhausted, the edges of the same will have been brought into substantial contact, as shown in Fig. 6, the slots thus serving as a gauge to indicate to the user the approximate proportion of paper remaining within the container and the time for purchasing a new package. In order to provide an additional indication of the proportion of paper on the roll within a container, the flaps: I4, which are exposed more or less as the diameter of the container is reduced by the use of paper from the roll therewithin, are provided each with radial lines I4 and I4 extending outwardly from the portion of each flap which is adjacent to the center of its cap to the words "Full and Empty, respectively, the word "Full and the line I4 being located adjacent to the movable edge of each cap when the container is in its maximum expanded position and the word "Empty and the line I 4'' being located adjacent to the fixed edge of each cap. In addition, each flap is provided with a radial line I4 extending from a point near the center thereof to a point on the periphery of said flap midway between the lines I4 and I4 and with calibrations ll on each side of the line I 4 and preferably midway between the line l4 it is desired to cut off a portion of the sheet withand the lines I! and I4, respectively. In operation, the flaps, therefore, serve as gauges or meters to indicate, in connection with the position of the movable edge of each can with reference to the flap therebeneath and with reference to the fixed edge, the quantity of paper on the roll within the container.

The provision of the slots I 9 in the caps l8 would result in leaving the ends of the container open in the portions located within said slots, but the arrangement of the flaps I4 effects a closure beneath these slots throughout the entire range of movement of the latter.

Reference has been made hereinbefore to the fact that the inner ends of the walls of the slots merge with circular openings 20. The provision of these openings allows the paper of which the caps are composed to be deformed by the closing of the slots therein into conical form shown in Fig. 5 without rupture.

Due to the manner in which the container is constructed, when the latter is in the expanded condition shown in Figs. 3, 4, 4" and 7, the inner side I! of the cover portion of the container is in contact with the overlapping portion of the cover substantially along the line A, B. Due to the tendency of the container cover to contract, a braking action is exerted upon the portion of the paper sheet which is interposed between the overlapping portions of the container; and this brakin action is sufilcient to prevent the sheet from being withdrawn into the container, even though the latter be handled quite roughly and at a time when the supply of paper is materially exhausted. As will be seen from Fig. 8, when the supply is so nearly exhausted, the sheet is still gripped between the overlapping portions of drawn from the roll.

In Figs. 11 to 13 inclusive, there is shown a modification of our invention wherein the caps are not provided with the radial slots and wherein the flaps l4 are unnecessary and have been omitted.

In these views, the cover member I00 is provided with edges 0 and H2 and with a cutter I30, all similar to the corresponding parts shown in Fig. 1. However, the flaps I4 are omitted and the tongues with which the ends l5 are provided extend along the said ends as far as the side 2, the opposite ends of the serrated portions of the said ends terminating at approximately the same distance from the side I I0, as is the case with the like situated ends of the tongues in Fig. 1. The cover member having been prepared in the same manner as provided hereinbefore is wrapped or rolled about the paper roll in the same manner as is the case with the preceding embodiment of our invention. Due to this wrapping or rolling, the outer edges or ends of the tongues I8 all meet at the center of the cylindrical spiral container thus formed, and the caps I are then applied to the ends of the container inthe same manner as is the case with the caps that are applied to the ends of the container in the preceding views. It will be noted, however, that the caps I80 are not provided each with angular slots but only with a radial slit I90, the inner edges of which merge with a center circular opening 200. With the container constructed as described and with a full roll of paper therein, the ends will be substantially fiat; but, as the paper is consumed from the roll and the container contracts to engage the exterior of the diminished roll, the ends bulge outwardly into a conical form, as is the case with the preceding embodiment of our invention. In the instant case, however, as the container is contracted one of the edges of the slit I passes beneath the other edge until, when the supply of paper is practically exhausted, the edge which has so passed under the other edge will assume the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 13.

In Figs. 14-17 inclusive there is shown a still further modification or form of our invention. The cover member 20l is provided with slde.edges 2I0 and 2| 2 and with a cutter 230, all similar to corresponding parts shown in Fig. 1, the edge 2l0 being provided with flaps 2H differing somewhat in shape from the flaps shown in Fig. 1. The

ends of the blank are provided with tongues 2l0, similar to the tongues iii in the preceding modifications; but the end caps 2I8 in the present modification are formed integral with the ends of the cover member and are located approximately midway between the serrated or tongue-provided portions of the said cover ends. Each of these caps is provided with a V-shaped slot 2I9, similar to the slots with which the caps I8 are provided. Each of the flaps 2 is provided with the gauge or meter markings with which the flap shown in Fig. 4 is provided, said gauge or meter markings being indicated at 2 II, M, 2Il and 2".

The cover member having been prepared in the same manner as provided hereinbefore, is wrapped or rolled about the paper roll in the same manner as is the case with the preceding within the said tongues and with the caps Ill located outside of the said tongues. The tongues and the caps are then united in the same manner as employed in the production of preceding embodiments of our invention.

With the container constructed as described and with a full roll of paper therein, the ends 01 the container will be substantially flat; but, as the paper is consumed from the roll and the container' contracts to engage the exterior of the diminished roll, the ends bulge outwardly into conical form, as is the case with the preceding embodiments'of our invention. As is the case with the embodiment of our invention shown in Figs. 1-10, the slots 2|! are of such angular extent that, when the supply of paper from the roll is exhausted, the edges of the slots will have been brought into substantial contact, thus serving as a gauge to indicate to the user the approximate proportion of paper remaining within the container and the time for purchasing a new package.

While the extreme ends of the overlapped portion of the cover 2M are flattened where the flaps 2H and 2H! are formed therewith, the body of such overlapped portion is circular whereby the overlapped and overlapping portions of the cover will cooperate to exercise a braking efiect upon the portion of the sheet of paper therebetween, thereby to retain such portion against withdrawal within the cover.

By virtue of the construction and arrangement of the parts shown herein, we believe that we have produced the only cylindrical type of paper dispenser which provides complete sanitary protection; which, while providing such protection, has means for holding the sheet of paper in a position so that it is always readil available to the user, even though the rolls should be roughly handled up to and including the time when the supply ofpaper is practically exhausted therefrom; which provides satisfactory contraction of the cover in the hand of the user so that the paper can be easily cut; and which will provide a gauge for the user to indicate the approximate proportion oi paper remaining on the roll and the time when it will be necessary to secure a new package.

While we have shown and described a separate cutting means which is applied to the overlapping edge of the container, it is obvious that this overlapping edge may itself constitute the cutting means.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. A dispensing package including a roll of paper or the like having wound therearound in substantially cylindrical form a somewhat stiff and resilient cover consisting of more than one convolution and provided along its overlapping side edge with cutting means, the ends of the said cover being provided with radially extending triangular tongues converging toward the center of said cover, and caps closing the opposite ends of the said cover, each of said caps being substantially circular in shape and being united to the tongues on said ends and each having a slot extending from the center to the periphery thereof.

2. A dispensing package including a roll of paper or the like having wound therearound in substantially cylindrical form a somewhat still and resilient cover consisting of more than one convolution and provided along its overlapping side edge with cutting means, the ends of the said cover being provided with radially extending triangular tongues having their bases in substantial contact and converging toward the center of said cover and substantially closing the ends thereof, and caps closing the opposite ends of the said cover, each of said caps being substantially circular in shape and being united to the tongues on said ends and each having a slot extending from the center to the periphery thereof.

3. A dispensing package including a roll of paper or the like having wound therearound in substantially cylindrical form a somewhat stiff and resilient cover consisting of more than one and less than two convolutions and provided along its overlapping side edge with cutting means, the ends of the said cover being provided with radially extending triangular tongues converging toward the center of said cover, the portions of the ends which are provided with the tongues being located at a distance from the side edge of the overlapping portion of the cover which corresponds to the amount which the said side shall overlap the other side edge when the container is in substantial contact with a full roll of paper therewithin, and caps for the opposite ends of said cover, each of said caps being substantially circular in shape and being united to the tongues on said ends and each having a slot extending from the center to the periphery thereof.

4. A dispensing package including a roll of paper or the like having wound therearound in substantially cylindrical form a somewhat stiff and resilient cover consisting of more than one and less than two convolutions and provided along its overlapping side edge with cutting means, the ends of the said cover being provided with radially extending triangular tongues having their bases in substantial contact and converging toward the center of said cover and substantially closing the ends thereof, the portions of the ends which are provided with the tongues being located at a distance from the side edge of the overlapping portion of the cover which corresponds to the amount which the said side shall overlap the other side edge when the container is in substantial contact with a full roll of paper therewithin, and caps for the opposite ends of said cover, each of said caps being circular in shape and being united to the tongues on said ends and each having a slot extending from the center to the peripher thereof.

5. A dispensing package including a roll of paper or the like having wound therearound in substantially cylindrical form a somewhat stiff and resilient cover consisting of more than one and less than two convolutions and provided along its overlapping side edge with cutting means. the ends of the said cover being provided with radially extending triangular tongues converging toward the center of said cover, the portions of the ends which are provided with said tongues beginning at a point spaced from the cutter-provided side edge of the cover a distance corresponding to the distance which the said edge overlaps the opposite side edge when the cover is wrapped about a full roll of paper, and the opposite ends of the tongue-provided portions of the cover ends being spaced from the overlapped side edge of the cover and the coverends being provided in such spaces each with a flap folded within the convergent tongues on their respective cover ends, and caps secured to the tongues on each end of the said cover, each d- I aasaase the adjacent cover end and the sides of said slots being movable relatively toward each other as the diameter of the cover is reduced.

6. A dispensing package including a roll of paper or the like having wound therearound in side edge with cutting means, the said cover being capable of contracting in diameter to ac commodate the diminishing. size of the roll of paper therewithin, circumferentially contractible means for closing the ends of the cover and for maintaining the said ends closed as the diameter 02 the cover is reduced, and means cooperating with the closing means for one of said ends for indicating the quantity of paper on the roii substantially cylindrical form a somewhat Slim within the said cover.

and resilient cover consisting of more than one and less than two convolutions and provided along its overlapping side edge with cutting means, the ends of the said cover being provided 13. A dispensing package including a roll of paper or the like having wound therearound in substantially cylindrical form a somewhat stifi and resilient cover consisting 01 more than one each with an intermediate integral circular cap convolution and provided along its overlapping and with radially extending triangular tongues arranged on opposite sides of said cap and converging toward the center of said cover, the po t tions of the ends which are provided with said side edge with' cutting means, the said cover being capable of contracting in diameter to accommodate the diminishing size of a roll of paper therewithin, circumferentially contractible means tongues beginning at a point spaced from the for closing the ends of the cover and for maincutter-side edge of the cover a distance corresponding to the distance which the said edge overlaps the opposite side edge when the cover is wrapped about a full roll of paper, the opposide ends or the tongue-provided portions 01' the g5 said cover.

cover ends being spaced from the overlapped side edge of the cover and the cover ends being provided in such space each with a flap folded within the convergent tongues on their 14. A dispensing package including a roll of paper or the like having wound therearound in substantially cylindrical form' a somewhat stifi and resilient cover consisting of more than one respective ends, the said caps being secured to so convolution and provided along its overlapping the tongues on each end of said cover, each of said caps having a V-shaped slot provided with radial sides extending outwardly from the center thereof, the slot of each cap registering with side edge with cutting means, the said cover being capable of contracting in diameter to accommodate the diminishing size of the roll of paper therewithin, flexible caps secured to opposite and being in efl'ect closed by the flapon the adja- 85 ends of the cover, one of said caps having a V- cent cover end.

7. In the package recited in claim 1, the inner ends oi! the walls oi! the slot or each cap merging with a circular opening in said cap.

shaped slot extending outwardly from the central portion thereof and the corresponding end oi the cover being provided with a flap located within the cap on such end and overlapped by 8. A dispensing package including a roll of the slot of said cap, the said flap being propaper or the like having wound therearound in substantially cylindrical form a somewhat stifi and resilient cover consisting of more than one and less than two convolutions and provided along its overlapping side edge with cutting means, the said cover being capable of contracting in diameter to accommodate the diminishing size of the roll 01' paper therewithin, and circumterentially contractible means for closing the ends of the cover and for maintaining the said ends closed as the diameter of the cover is reduced.

9'. In the package set forth in claim 8, the means for closing the ends of the cover being vided with means cooperating with the edges of said slot to indicate the quantity of paper on the roll within said cover.

15, A dispensing package including a roll of paper or the like that diminishes in diameter as the paper is dispensed and having wound therearound in substantially cylindrical form a somewhat stiff and resilient cover consisting of more than one convolution and provided along its overlapping side edge with cutting means, said cover being contractible circumferentially in con- Iormity with the diminishing diameter of the roll, the ends of the said cover being provided with radially extending triangular tongues havflexible and being secured to the portions of the ing their bases in substantial contact and concover which are not overlapping when a roll of paper oi. full size is contained therein.

10. In the package set forth in claim 8, the

overlapping side edge of the cover being so shaped as to exercise a braking effect upon the portion of the sheet of paper therebeneath, thereby to retain such portion against withdrawal within the cover.

11. In the package recited in claim 4. the slot with which each cap is provided being a radial slot the inner end of which merges with a circular openingat the center of the cap which is provided with said slot. i

12. A dispensing package including a roll of paper or the like having wound therearound in substantially cylindrical form a somewhat stifi and resilient cover consisting of more than one convolution and provided along its overlapping verging toward the center of said cover and substantially closing the endsthereof, and caps for the opposite ends of the said cover, each of said caps being substantially circular in shape and so constructed of flexible material that it is capable of circumferential expansion and contraction and being united for a distance less than its circumference to the tongues on the corresponding end of the cover, whereby said caps yield to the changing diameter of the cover 16. In the dispensing package recited in claim 15, the caps which are united to the tongues on the ends of the cover being substantially coextensive in area with the collective areas of the tongues to which they are respectively united.

FRED C. GLUCK. RANKIN C. MCCASKEY. 

